State-Level Invitational Badminton Competition Kicks Off with Enthusiasm in Bahraich

The Late Madanlal Agarwal Memorial State Level Invitational Badminton Competition, under the affiliation of the Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association and organised with support from the District Olympic Association, commenced today with great fanfare at Indira Stadium. Chief guest Mahamandleshwar Ravi Giri Maharaj inaugurated the event by cutting the ceremonial ribbon, with dignitaries such as District Magistrate Monika Rani, Superintendent of Police Vrinda Shukla, MLC Padamsen Chaudhary, MLA Sureshvar Singh, MLC Pragya Tripathi, and Municipality Chairman Sudha Devi in attendance.

The competition, drawing participation from 250 players statewide, spans four days and includes matches in multiple categories—Under-15, Under-17, and open singles and doubles for men and women. Tournament coordinator Shyam Karan Tekdiwal noted that the event is intended to bring together budding badminton talents from across the state, focusing on promoting sportsmanship and skill enhancement.

In the opening match, Shrestha Shukla emerged victorious over Aryan Chauhan from Lucknow with a score of 30-26 in the Under-15 category. Other matches saw impressive performances, with Kartik Bahraich, Ayush Kanpur, and Krishnavardhan Bareilly securing wins in their respective rounds.

A highlight of the opening day was the spirited participation of DM Monika Rani, SP Vrinda Shukla, and MLC Pragya Tripathi, who took to the court, inspiring spectators and adding to the lively atmosphere. Tournament organizer A.R. Ansari acknowledged the positive impact of their presence on the players' morale.

In their address, MLC Padamsen Chaudhary and BJP District President Brijesh Pandey conveyed their hopes for the competition’s annual growth, paying tribute to the late social worker Madan Lal Agarwal, in whose memory the tournament is organised. They commended the players for displaying sportsmanship and resilience, traits that they said would help shape their futures.

As the competition unfolds, local youth are expected to be further inspired, with senior members of the Olympic Association, including Ashok Matanheliya, Deepak Soni, and Anil Jaiswal, encouraging athletes to embrace both wins and losses as stepping stones to greater success.